Official API or your own DeepSeek?
You choose once when you first enter. You can change it later in Settings. Choosing the slow option does not damage your save.
Comparison
| Option | Cost | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official API | Free | Slow, about 10–20 seconds per turn | Trying the game without a key |
| Your own DeepSeek | Paid by you | Fast, about 3–5 seconds per turn | Long sessions and better pacing |
Official API
- No key required.
- Free, but may queue, rate-limit or be temporarily unavailable.
- Slow first turns are normal.
- The host may close the channel when its quota is exhausted.
Your own DeepSeek
- Create a key at DeepSeek Platform.
- Open Settings → Your own API.
- Use
https://api.deepseek.com/v1and modeldeepseek-flash. - Paste the key and connect. The server tests the connection before saving.
DeepSeek bills your own account. Echo Abyss does not collect or resell that usage.
Key security
- The key is encrypted server-side for the current session.
- State endpoints never return the plaintext key.
- Never post your key in chat, screenshots or public repositories.
- If a key leaks, revoke it in DeepSeek and create a new one.
Enter the dungeon
Free to start. No download. If you do not know what to type, begin with “I walk down the stone steps.”
Play Echo AbyssFAQ
Why is the official API marked slow?
It is free but can take 10–20 seconds per turn. DeepSeek is faster.
Can the host see my key?
It is encrypted at rest and not returned by the API, but do not enter keys on devices you do not trust.
How is DeepSeek billed?
Directly by DeepSeek to your account.