i've been using zeos (stable 8 from OPM) and always use mysql as protocol with mysql or mariadb engines, in every version i've tried. (i believe until 10.x, cant recall used mariadb 11 or 12). And zeos always work with mysql as protocol on mysql or mariadb.
I dunno if zeos from vp is a newer version that makes difference but until now zeos 8 from opm always worked.
in the example i gave of the time that worked i was using maridb as db engine and mysql as protocol in zeos and worked fine.
netherveless, it didnt recognize mysql or mariadb because i've modified the two sections (mariadb and mysql) and never choses any of them. That's why worked when i change the "default values" i think from lines 127 and after