ok, so I went in killed the baddies inside and now I cant get out

I found the thing that says I gotta do something, and the cauldron said something too, but I couldnt see what I had to do to get out.

wrong wrong wrong

you TOTALLY missed the point about scroll of protection from magic

Check the corpse of the beholder (hold down Tab to highlight treasure piles) and you should be able to click on a "treasure" which is actually the eye of the beholder.

So much for beauty eh?
WAH HA HA HA!!

Seriously though, put it in the cauldron and then click on the machine, and you should be transported out. Don't forget to pick up the Staff of the Magi from the dead female wizard...