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 bodyguard.

(T.102): One of your parents was an undertaker.

(T.2): A bastard younger brother.

Choose one...
(T.3): A villain destroyed your home. Roll on Table 5 to determine the villain responsible. You start adventuring now, just after having your home destroyed.
(T.3): A villain destroyed your home. Roll on table 5 to determine the villain responsible. Roll on Table 9 if you want to have already tried to take revenge.

    >>>> (T.5): A powerful merchant.

(T.9): You defeat your foe! Too bad they had an ally who takes you prisoner. Roll on Table 21.

(T.21): You become known as a troublemaker, and eventually your captor or your guards decide it'll be easier to just hand you over to slavers. Roll on Table 16.

(T.16): In what seems like an act of divinity, a disaster slaughters nearly all your captors. You travel to Table 27 to pay respect to the god that you believe is responsible for your freedom.

(T.27): You manage to ask just the right kind of impertinent questions about the Temple's beliefs and dogma to set the priests on each other. You find yourself in the position of having to mediate to prevent a fill on religious schism. Do your best on Table 28.

(T.28): You are pretty poor at convincing people, and manage to get off with both groups demanding you find someone who can do a better job then you. Start searching for a replacement on Table 11.

(T.11): You find what you are looking for. You will have proficiency in Investigation. Roll on the associated table depending on what you were looking for: Person - Table 12.

Choose one...
(T.12): The person was killed by stirges. Alas cruel fate! You begin your life of adventure at this point.
(T.12): The person was killed by stirges. Alas cruel fate! You can drown your sorrows in drink and become involved in a tavern brawl on Table 23.

(T.23): You save the tavern owner's life and send the brawling patrons fleeing for their lives. The owner gratefully rewards you with partial ownership of the tavern. You will have +10% starting gold and proficiency in Athletics. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 13
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:
Investigation
10% More Starting Gold
Athletics