This tool is based on the work of user Arachobia on RPG Crossing with his permission. He had taken a list of tables from Dragon magazine #422 in an article called "Building Character" by Matt Sernett and updated them for 5th edition. I've turned them into an automatic tool for generating a characters background.

Instructions: Refresh the page to generate a new background story. As always, you can use it however you like and fill in your own details. Your age and acquired proficiencies are listed at the bottom and are based on the results you got. Try to pick a Race/Class/Background combo that fulfills all the proficiencies. Your age may also result in ability score modifiers that can be applied after building your character.

...or ignore everything and do whatever you want. Whatever.
Background Generator

(T.101): One of your parents was a farmer.

(T.102): One of your parents was a great hero.

(T.2): Two sisters.

(T.3): You left to search for a missing or distant sibling. If you thought you were an only child, turns out you were wrong and you learn of a half-sibling to seek out. Roll on Table 11.

(T.11): In your search, you turn up the activities of a villain. Roll on Table 5 to determine which villain. Then try escape their wrath on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.5): A beholder.

(T.19): With the constant need to evade those who pursue you, you develop a lack of trust and are always trying to suss out everybody's intentions. You will have proficiency in Insight. Roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually end up.

(T.8): A villain's lair. Find the villain on Table 5, then continue to Table 9.

    >>>> (T.5): A troll.

(T.9): A lust for revenge is not equal to an ability to track. You are lost in the wilderness on Table 24.

(T.24): You run into a dwarf surveying the area for places to mine. They lead you back to civilization, then asks you for a favor on Table 18.

(T.18): Your friend needs you to convince someone to allow them to wed their beloved. Roll on Table 28 to see if you can do so.

(T.28): You manage to eke out some success, but one of the conditions is that you, personally, are taken away from one of the angered parties. You are escorted to Table 8.

(T.8): A mobile community of river-dwelling halfings who travel by barge. They teach you some hunting skills. You will have proficiency in Survival. Re-roll on this table, ignoring a result of 20, to see where the river takes you.

(T.8): A town in a swamp which, it turns out, is a great place for outbreaks of plague. Endure the illness on Table 31, then search for a cure on Table 11.

    >>>> (T.31): You nearly die and are permanently physically scarred. You suffer a pronounced limp, a wracking cough, a twisted hand, a blind eye or some other ailment or combination of ailments.



Total Rolls: 17
Your age is ADULT
Adults are at the most equalized stage of development. From here their physical body will begin to weaken while their minds and personalities benefit from experience.
Adults have no modifiers to their attributes.

Proficiencies:
Insight
Survival