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): If this is your 1st roll on this table you were adopted. Roll on this table another maximum of two times* as if it is your first and 2nd roll, for your biological parents, then again maximum of 2 times* (again as if it is your 1st and 2nd roll). After this, you may move on to Table 2.
Biological Parents:

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

    >>>> (T.102): One of your parents was a merchant.
Adoptive Parents:

    >>>> (T.101): If this is your 1st roll on this table you were raised by animals or beasts. They can either be unintelligent creatures like wolves, or a sentient animal like a unicorn. You will have proficiency in Animal Handling. Continue on to Table 2 and it is up to you whether any siblings you have were your biological siblings, or your animal-parents own young, or a mixture.

    >>>> (T.102): If this is your 2nd (or higher) roll on this table, you either were raised by one parent or only one parent worked AND you have four younger siblings (you are the oldest). Proceed to Table 3.

(T.2): An identical twin.

(T.3): You leave in search of a family heirloom or some other valuable or powerful item. 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): Goblin(s).

(T.19): You are captured and imprisoned on Table 21.

(T.21): You spend a year rotting in captivity. Roll an Table 31 to see how this affects you, then roll on this table again.

    >>>> (T.31): You pull through easily enough. You will have proficiency in Survival.

(T.21): You spend a year rotting in captivity. Roll an Table 31 to see how this affects you, then roll on this table again.

    >>>> (T.31): You find this 'hardship' almost trivial and come out of it even stronger than before. You will have proficiency in Survival and Athletics.

(T.21): You are scheduled for execution, but at the last moment a noble decides to intervene and buy your freedom if you serve them. Roll on Table 33.

(T.33): The noble makes you do something illegal, for which you are arrested. They don't bother to intervene, and you rot in jail on Table 21.

(T.21): You spend a year rotting in captivity. Roll an Table 31 to see how this affects you, then roll on this table again.

    >>>> (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.

(T.21): You share a cell with another: roll on Table 15 to see their crime. You both manage to orchestrate an escape: flee on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.15): Spying.

(T.19): You spy your pursuers long before they see you, and cunningly arrange for them to run into some of their own enemies. They won't be bothering you again. You gain a reputation for sharp eyes and a sharp wit: you will begin with proficiency in Perception and Deception. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 21
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Animal Handling
Survival
Athletics
Perception
Deception