After my Prophet was too battle weary (afflictions) i used him to patrol Devils Lair with his army of veterans full time. I was able to have my blood pretender blood hunt all the time while leaving taxes at 100.Between the fire gems and "alchemy" of other gem incomes plus a horde of blood slaves at my beck and call i became quite powerful
. You do need a rather large/fast force patroling to keep the unrest from getting out of hand
.