So I saw this man in a cell and he asked me to help him. I had a few phantoms summoned to clear the boss that was close by so I did that and rang the bell yatta yatta yatta. When I got back to the starting bonfire, I went down below to upgrade my flasks and lo and behold he was sitting on the platform. I never freed him so I was pretty curious as to how he had escaped. Unfortunately when I talked to him he was less than happy with me and jabbed that he "Had nothing to say to the likes of you".

What the hell man, why are you so angry at me?! I barely had any time to free you! You should be happy that you escaped at all ya jerk.

I freed him, this game can reach the end in many cool ways, with some people helping you, and some people killing you.

I freed him, and then I summoned him to help me kill the Belfrey Gargoyle.

Freeing Lautrec from his cell? Have fun with that one later...

I freed him and found him again later near the first bonfire. He gave me a thing. Presumably this thing might do something...

Major spoilers, but this outlines Lautrec's role in the game. Quite the devious fellow.

Boy he sure looks similar to Yurt from Demon's Souls huh, but gold armor. Oh, I'm sure its nothing.

@Xeiphyer said:

Boy he sure looks similar to Yurt from Demon's Souls huh, but gold armor. Oh, I'm sure its nothing.

Haha. I thought the exact same thing. Freed him anyway - let's see what happens!

@benjaebe: The thing is I talked to him but figured you would need a key to open the door. I just went right on without opening his cage and killed the gargoyles. He was still freed somehow!