[NTJedi]

I don't remember Utterdark causing PD to decrease each turn.

If you must live with Utterdark, prepare for most your upkeep units to walk away. Then turn most gems towards summoning creatures since gold income is virtually non-existent. Any gold which arrives from good events should probably be tossed at PD, Temples or Mercenaries. Your commanders will always stay with you even when not being paid.
As Renojustin mentions... lean towards a blood economy.