Can an ally with "play as a vampire" use "the line" to reduce action costs?

Several Allies have the ability to play certain cards "as a vampire" (for example Nephren-Ka)

Can an ally with such an ability make use of "the Line" to play an action card "as a vampire" to reduce it's blood cost to zero and therefore be able to now pay it's cost?

Nephren-Ka
Unique mummy with 5 life. 2 strength, 0 bleed.
Nephren-Ka may enter combat with a ready minion as a action. He may prevent 1 non-aggravated damage each combat. He may play cards that require basic Necromancy [nec] as a vampire. If he is burned, shuffle him into his owner's library.

The Line
Unique location.
Lock to reduce the cost of an action card played by a vampire you control by 1 blood (this location is not locked if that card is canceled as it is played). Any vampire can steal this location as a action.

Hobbesgoblin wrote:

Can an ally with such an ability make use of "the Line" to play an action card "as a vampire" to reduce it's blood cost to zero and therefore be able to now pay it's cost?

To be clear, you do not need to reduce the blood cost of an action if an ally can play the card "as a vampire." Per section 1.6.3 in the rulebook:

Some allies have the ability to play certain cards "as a vampire." In these cases, the ally is treated as a vampire for all effects generated by the play of the card, including duration effects (like "for the remainder of combat"). The ally's life represents his blood (to pay costs, for example). Any blood he gains or loses as a vampire equates to a gain or loss of life for the ally. For purposes of that card, the ally has a capacity of 1 by default (for use if the card requires an older vampire or a vampire of a given capacity). If the ally gains life in excess of his capacity, it doesn't drain off, and if the effect inflicts aggravated damage on the ally, he burns life as normal. However, if the effect would send the ally to torpor, then he is burned instead. The ally is treated as a vampire only for the effect generated from playing the card. In particular, the ally is not treated as a vampire for effects the card has from being in play (like "the vampire with this card" effects).

kschaefer wrote:

To be clear, you do not need to reduce the blood cost of an action if an ally can play the card "as a vampire." Per section 1.6.3 in the rulebook:

Unless the ally has exactly 1 life.

But even if ally can play cards as a vampire, it still isn't a vampire for purposes of the Line.

Bloodartist wrote:

kschaefer wrote:

To be clear, you do not need to reduce the blood cost of an action if an ally can play the card "as a vampire." Per section 1.6.3 in the rulebook:

Unless the ally has exactly 1 life.

It's still playable, that action will just fizzle once the cost is paid. If Khazar's Diary in play, for instance, you may want to ensure that a unique ally burns.